Practical Farmers of Iowa

In February 2025, PFI welcomed Jim Kain as our new finance director. In this role, he provides leadership and direction to PFI’s finance team and helps support all areas of PFI. Prior to joining PFI, Jim was the finance director at Disability Rights Iowa, a nonprofit that advocates for Iowans with disabilities. Jim has an MBA from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Iowa State University. Read Jim's full bio: https://bit.ly/3DWcntS

Eric Franzenburg of Pheasant Run Farm in Keystone, Iowa, 30 miles west of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is seeking a farm operations intern for the 2025 growing season. Job duties on this farm would include planting, weeding and harvesting specialty crops like blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, cut flowers and sunflowers. The intern may also participate in marketing efforts and could be involved in planting and harvesting row crops. Learn more about this Labor4Learning position: https://bit.ly/4k1flOc

Shae Pesek of Over the Moon Farm in Coggon, Iowa, is seeking a pastured poultry production assistant for the 2025 season through PFI's Labor4Learning program. This trainee will have the opportunity to learn about poultry management, direct-to-consumer sales and other mentorship about running a business. Explore this opportunity and our other Labor4Learning for trainers: https://bit.ly/4k1flOc

Emma and Marcus Johnson are seeking a farm laborer to join the Buffalo Ridge Orchard team in Central City, Iowa. Working at Buffalo Ridge Orchard can help a trainee gain knowledge on tree fruit and vegetable production. This includes developing crop rotations, choosing rootstocks and fruit varieties and learning how to market it locally. You could also learn about how Emma and Marcus manage their licensing and food safety requirements for our produce farm and food processing plant. Learn more about this position: https://bit.ly/4k1flOc

Help us give a warm welcome to our new development director, Terri Mork Speirs, who joined the Practical Farmers of Iowa staff in February 2025. Terri is excited to steward and grow Practical Farmers’ donor base, with a focus on increasing unrestricted gifts. She enjoys fundraising because it connects her with interesting, generous folks who care about the Earth and one another. Terri has extensive previous experience supporting a variety of sectors. Read Terri's full bio: https://bit.ly/3QGDigi

Calling beginning or aspiring farmers in Omaha, Nebraska! Fruit Of Levine LLC is hiring a farm assistant. Fruit of Levine LLC is a 15-acre farm owned and operated by Jodi and Mike Levine. They are a niche producer of specialty fruits, vegetables, duck and goose eggs, and honey products. Mike and Jodi focus on sustainably producing products that are difficult to source or hard to find locally. Explore this position and other 2025 Labor4Learning opportunities: https://bit.ly/4k1flOc

With 28 years of experience under their belts, Kathy Dice and Tom Wahl of Red Fern Farm in Wapello, Iowa, are offering their expertise to the next generation through PFI's Labor4Learning program. Red Fern Farm raises tree crops, which include chestnuts, pawpaws, American persimmons, heartnuts, Asian pears, cornelian cherries, hazels and honeyberries. Housing is provided for this farm intern. Learn more about this position and others: https://bit.ly/4k1flOc

Are you interested in learning the ins and outs of a greenhouse business? Mike Salama is looking for a greenhouse intern through PFI's Labor4Learning program. Salama Greenhouse is located in Boone, Iowa. They are a full garden center selling ornamental plants, seasonal bedding plants, house plants, seasonal flowering plants, trees and shrubs, perennials, and cut flowers. Apply for this position and explore other opportunities: https://bit.ly/4k1flOc

The PFI team is excited to welcome Kaitlin Little to staff as our senior data and member engagement assistant! In this role, she helps with data management for grant reporting and administering the member engagement program. She graduated from Iowa State University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in advertising. Kaitlin has experience in communications and project coordination. Read the rest of Kaitlin's bio: https://bit.ly/4hIdgVS

In Guttenberg, Iowa, Andrew Phelps is focused on building healthy soil to grow quality vegetables. Andrew is a trainer through PFI's Labor4Learning program looking for a farm crew member this season to support various aspects of vegetable production such as bed preparation, transplanting, pruning and trellising, weed management, harvesting, packing vegetables, and assisting at a farmers market. Learn how to contact Andrew and explore all the Labor4Learning positions: https://bit.ly/4k1flOc